So in today's episode, we want to talk about stress. and Christmas,and driving. And how all of them are, Mixed together really, so we thought we would give it. Uh, go on the podcast and. See, if we can help you with your driving over this festive period. Yeah. So It's not the most cheerful, festive subject really? Is it? Well, we're talking about the stresses of Christmas. So sorry about that. But, you can be a very stressful time on it. There's lots going on. We've got. Potentially part is to go to presents, to go and buy shopping to get. You know, there is lots going on in life at this time of year. Yeah. And everybody seems to be in a rush. There never seems to be enough time. There's a lot of pressure at this time of year. Yeah. And it doesn't seem to be enough time to be able to do everything. And then you get a phone call and. Plans change so we can create a more panic and rush and anxiety and stress and everything else that goes on with that. So what we've tried to do is thought how do people. Drive at this time of year and it normally does change. Yeah. Um, part of this was, we were asked for some hints and tips by a journalist for. Christmas day, driving dilemma as well. And that got us thinking about some of the things that can go wrong. Over this festive period. So one of the things that we thought about is when people are driving. are, They actually thinking about their driving or are they. Somewhere else. Yeah, definitely. We know from some of the people who've contacted us When we get into asking questions and we get into the nitty gritty of when did your drive and anxiety start, what was going on in your life? And often one of the things that that comes out is that they would drive in at a particularly stressful time in their life. And that then led on. To an element of either having a panic attack or feeling anxiety. While drive him. And. One of the things that happens here, but this, this happens particularly for people who, who are normally quite confident driving. And so when they're driving, they have that ability to go into a type of autopilot almost where they don't have to think too carefully about changing gears on. Uh, this, that the mechanics, the nuts and bolts of driving. So they're able to do lots of those driving tasks. On and you know, there is so automatic for them. They don't need to put that much thought in it. The problem with that is that then leave space in your mind and in your thoughts to think about all the really stressful things that are going on in your life. So whether that's Christmas, whether that's, personal circumstances, work circumstances, and when you're thinking about really stressful things in your life, your body starts to respond to that and react to that. And so having that space to think about those things while driving. Can result in panic attacks, feelings of anxiety that you then. Associate with driving. Forgetting that it was actually thinking about stressful things that triggered it in the first place. You know, we, our minds go off thinking about. Other things. Rather than driving cars, we've driven to Tescos. They. The other supermarkets available, but we've driven to those supermarkets before, and we don't really think about it. But because we are stressed because we're starting now to think of other things, what am I going to get? Are those shops? What do I need, when do we who's coming round. I was, even as I'm talking, I'm my words. Okay. In all. Because I'm not talking to them. I actually started stressful. So what you've got to do is try and think about the task in hand and how come we as drivers bring ourselves back into the now. Yeah, very definitely. So rather than being lost in thought, particularly if those thoughts are stressful, focusing on your driving. Yeah. And, you know, some of the things that I get people to do when I'm teaching them to drive or we're assessing or whatever it is we're doing in the car. Is to try and get people to. Have a song. I have some Christmas songs on or a song. That they relate to we've driving. And this again, just brings them back into the car because they're driving and they're concentrating on the driving again, rather than. Going off already into the shops. I haven't even got to. Yeah, definitely. I mean, that idea of having on music, music that distracts you from thinking about their stressful thoughts. So you're concentrating on the music, the songs, the singing, along to it. It changes the way you feel. It changes your mood. And it keeps you away from those negative, stressful thoughts. That are unrelated to drive in. Which you know, this is related, but before you even step in the car, I have a list. Do yourself a little list. So you, haven't got to think about. When I get there. This is what I've got to do, and I've got to do this have a list in place that when you get into the car. You can then drive. And, you know, be aware because I can almost guarantee you on the road, there's going to be other stress to people as well. So it won't just be you, there will be others that are stressed. And drive as if they're stressed as well. And we've all seen that. So, if we can keep ourselves calm, what's going to happen is the end result is probably going to be favorable. Yeah. And the thing is the higher level of stress that you're out. When you get in the car, before you start driving, the easier it is to tip up into those very high levels of panic and anxiety. And if you're stressed, when you start your journey and then other stress drivers. Do you silly things, maybe they're not concentrating. Maybe they get too close to you. Maybe they pull out in front of you. thats all Added stress, which just snowballs. And. If you're aware that when you sit in the car, you're ready to go. And you notice how stressed you're feeling. Even if you're running late, it's really worth just taking a moment. To take a few slow gentle breaths. To help calm your body down. Um, not only will it calm your body down, but it'll also help bring you back into the moment, ready to pay attention to your driving. We've talked about, just pop into the shops. But if you're going on a longer drive, And it normally takes you two hours. The Christmas traffic is going to potentially be more. There's going to be more traffic around. So, you know, give yourself extra time, be kind to yourself. So, if you do get stuck in traffic, You know, it doesn't matter. It's not the end of the world. You've given yourself extra time to. Accommodate that. Yeah, I'm trying to be organized to try and to make sure you've got snacks and drinks or anything you need, and also planned where maybe you're going to stop and make sure you know where you're going. Well, this is the other point I was going to make. Maybe take an alternative route. We live near the M 25. So. We know the M 25 does get busy. So. Maybe we were avoided. Maybe we're going a little road trip. And. Maybe it's a bit better. We don't have to sit in traffic. It may take, yeah. 10 minutes longer, according to the sat nav. But am I going to be stressed sitting in traffic? Or am I just going to be going the back roads? So maybe these other alternative routes are going to keep the car moving, which again makes you feel better. Yeah, definitely. Other things to think about, make sure your breakdown covers in date. Yeah. If you haven't got breakdown cover, make sure you have, it makes you feel better knowing you're covered. Watch out for your posture as well. If you're feeling stressed while you're driving. Oh, your shoulders up by your ears. Are you gripping the steering wheel really tight? If you have an opportunity, a junction or traffic lights, just see if you can loosen those shoulders down, a good way of doing that is actually by taking them as close up to your ears, as you possibly can, and then allow them to drop down. So that tightening them up as much as you can before relaxing is often more helpful and easier than trying to drop your shoulders on their own. And watch out for that posture. If you're hunching over the steering wheel. Then that's a position. That means you can't breathe very well. And it's likely to make your body feel even more stressed than it was before. So trying to have an upright type of posture were you sitting up straight in an open posture? And allowing your body to breathe properly so that you can be as calm as possible. So it's just noticing how you feel when you're driving. And as soon as you start to feel. Stress or anxiety. Bring it back down at the first opportunity. Yeah. Bring it back. See, if you can bring your thoughts back to your drive in, so you're not lost in thought. Thinking about the stressful things that you've got to do later on today. All the stressful things that have just happened to you earlier on in the day. So trying to keep your mind focused on your driving. So that your attention is where it needs to be. Yeah, exactly. It's just one of those things that we've tend to forget. And driving as a task, we need to concentrate on that task. To have the outcomes that we want. We want to get from a, to B as safely as possible. Yeah, definitely. Um, having a level of acceptance that at certain times of the year, the traffic is going to be worse. The driving is going to be more stressful. So just getting yourself as prepared as you can. I'm sort of just allowing for it and accepting it a little bit instead of fighting against it. And Christmas can be fun, you know? Sometimes. And so on that note, we hope that you have a wonderful Christmas, whatever you're doing, and however you would like it to be. Yes. And a Merry Christmas from myself to all of you that have. Commented on these podcasts and, has said how much they've enjoyed them and how much it's helped them with their driving. So thank you. Yeah, thank you very much. And. If you want to get in touch as always our contact details are in the show notes. If you've been enjoying our podcast, then we'd be incredibly grateful. If you could leave us a review on your favorite podcast player, that would be fantastic. Um, so until next time, Have a great day, whatever you're doing. If you have enjoyed our podcast, did you know, we can also help you get back on the road to driving confidence? If you want to have the feeling of being safe. Be able to go shopping without relying on public transport. Create more time in your daily schedule. Become a confident driver. Visit friends or relatives that live further away. Drive to and from places of work. Feel safer when driving on faster roads. Then our coaching packages will help you create the easy to follow action plan to your driving confidence. Using our unique drive Calm system within our coaching sessions backed up by the free access to the confident drivers website and all the wonderful tools and techniques it has to offer. You will feel confident that you can take that first step in getting back driving. So if you'd like to find out more information, go to the confident drivers website.